At this busy time of year it is easy to forget about protecting your privacy, but people share a lot of information over the festive season — online shopping, giveaways, competitions and loyalty cards all ask you to share your personal information.
Remember:
Read the privacy policy and check the security of websites when you’re shopping online – read our ‘What to look for in a privacy policy poster’ for some tips on getting the most out of a privacy policy.
Be aware of how much personal information you are giving away in exchange for special deals. Do they really need all that information to complete the transaction, and what are they going to do with it?
Pay your bills on time to avoid future credit problems. Late or missed payments may be included on your credit reporting file and could stop you obtaining credit in the future. Check out our fact sheets on credit reporting.
Check privacy settings on your social networking and mobile sites. Think about who you’re sharing your holiday pics with, and if you’re comfortable with them knowing that you’re not at home.
Create strong passwords, change them regularly and think about what personal information you are storing on your mobile or computer.
Beware of scams. The festive season is a busy time for scammers, and you should always be careful — if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. You can sign up to the Stay Smart Online alert service for information about current online threats. For news of current scams making the rounds, or to report a scam, visit ScamWatch.
If you feel your privacy has been breached by an organisation covered by the Privacy Act 1988, you can make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). You can read about how to make a complaint in our Individuals section, or watch the video.
